Wheel-alinement gage



D. L.'ROWE.

WHEEL ALINEMENT GAGE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I. 1920,

1,399,228. Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1'.

avwewto'c Do Vz'ci L iaow D. L. ROWE.

WHEEL ALINEMENT GAGE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT, I, 1920.

1,399,228. Patented Dec. 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

c wwam ioz PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID L. ROWE, OF EAST PABSONFIELD, MAINE.

WHEEL-ALINEMENT GAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

Application filed October 1, 1920. Serial No. 413,962.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID L. ROWE, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Parsonfield, in the county of York and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVheel-Allne- Inent Gages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements n gages especially adapted for ascertaining if the wheels of a vehicle are in alinement.

An important object of this invention is to provide a wheel alinement gage which may be accurately and conveniently squared with the chassis of a vehicle rather than with the wheels of the same so that the positions of the wheels with relation to each other may be accurately ascertained.

The invention forming the subject matter of this application aims also to provide an apparatus of the class described which may be conveniently adjusted for use 1n connection with vehicles having different gage running gear.

A further object of the invention is to provide an alinement gage for vehicle wheels having the indicators in plain view of the operator so that the deviation, if any, of either of the wheels may be conveniently ascertained. Y

A further object of the invention is to provide an-alinement gage for, vehicle wheels which is of highly simplified construction, desirable in use and extremely cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved wheel alinement gage,

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical transverse section through the same in use,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of a blank of metal from which a portion of the main frame is formed,

Fig. 4 is a perspective of a portion of the main frame or support,

Fig. 5 is a perspective of a blank of metal from which one of the carriages are formed,

Fig. 6 is a perspective of one of the carriages,

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 4. v

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown ,a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 generally designates a T-frame or support WhlCh is preferably formed from flat sheet metal and stamped into proper formation.

'The cross piece 12 of the T-frame is formed from a blank of metal, illustrated in Fig. 3, the longitudinal portions of which are adapted to be extended downwardly to form spaced side walls 13, as shown in Fig. 4. The end portions of the blank of metal are adapted to be bent angularly to form legs 14 which have their edge portions extended inwardly to form sides 15. The side walls 13 are provided in their end portions with apertures 16 with which apertures 17 in the side walls 15 of the legs are adapted to be alined for the reception of fastening devices 18 in the form of bolts.

With reference to Fig. 7 it will be observed that the side walls 15 of the legs 14 are arranged inwardly of the side walls 13 and are securely connected to the same by means of the bolts 18.

The T-frame is also provided with a central branch 20 which is formed from a fiat length of sheet metal bent along its longitudinal edges to form side walls 21. One end portion of each side wall 21 is extended laterally to form an attaching flange 22 rigidly connected to the adjacent side wall of the cross piece 12'by means of a rivet 23. The portion of the central branch 20 between the laterally projecting flanges 22 is mounted upon the cross piece 12 and is riveted to the same, as indicated at 24. By this construction, the central branch 2O is rigidly secured to the cross piece so as to enable the device to withstand considerable strain incident to use. One end portion of the central branch 20 is extended downwardly-to form a leg 25 having its longitudinal edge portions extended inwardly to form side walls 26. The upper portions of the side walls 26 are arranged inwardly of the side walls 21 and are riveted to the same as indicated at 28.

The T-frame formed by the cross piece 12 and by the central branch 20 is adapted to rest flatly upon the ground so as to be capable of arrangement against the axle 29 of a vehicle.

A pair of carriages 33 are slidably'mounted on the cross piece 12 on opposite sides of the central branch 20 and are, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, formed from a single blank of metal bent along its longitudinal edge portions to form downwardly extending sides 34. The downwardly extending sides 34 flatly engage the side walls 13 of the cross piece 12 and are provided with longitudinal slots 35 which receive bolts 37 extended through the side walls 13. The bolts or pins 37, of course, serve to limit the shding movement of the carriages and prevent the same from accidental disconnection from the T-frame.

The outer end portions of the U-shaped carriages 33 extend be ond the legs 14 and support a pair of in icator arms 40. As illustrated in Fig. 1, each arm 40 1s pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon the top of the adjacent carriage'by means of a pivot element 43. The arms 40 are adapted to contact with the inner sides of the vehicle wheels at opposite sides of the same. The forward end portion of each arm is provided with a laterally projecting indicator finger 47 which plays over a calibrated dial 49' which in cooperation with the pointer 49 of the finger, indicates the degree of deviation of the wheel. Each dial 45 is provided with an attaching member 50 secured to the frame by means of rivets 53. The indicator finger 47 of each arm 40 rests flatly upon the adjacent dial 45 and cooperates with the main frame in supporting the arm.

Each carria e 33 is provided at' its inner endwith an oii by means of pivot elements 56 with levers 58. The levers 58 which are pivotally connected intermediate their ends as indicated at 60 45 are for the purpose of adjusting the carriages with relation to the frame shaft so that the device may be used in connection with vehicles of wide or narrow gage. The levers 58 are mounted upon the central branch 20 and extend to a point where it is convenient to operate the same.

In order that the apparatus may be squared with the chassis of the vehicle and not with the wheels of the same, I have provided a pair of U -shaped members 62 at opposite ends of the cross piece 12. \Vith reference to Fig. 2 it will be observed that each U-shaped member 62 has its arms horizontally ivoted upon the bolts '18 which are extendlad through the side wall 13 of the cross piece and the side walls 15 of legs 14. Exteriorly of the side walls of the carriage the bolts 18'may be provided with nuts 65 while a second set of nuts 67 may be threaded onto the end portions of the bolts and engage set ear 55 having connection with the arms of the U-shaped member 62. The nut 67 may be drawn tight enough to hold the members 62 in adjusted position.

In the use of the device, the T-member is positioned beneath the vehicle and the U- shaped members are subsequently moved into. engagement with the front side of the axle 29. In this manner the device may be used in connection with vehicles having high or low axles. Further the U-shaped members 62'do not conflict with the springs or other part of the vehicle. Upon moving the U-shaped members 62 into engagement with the axle, the frame mav be positioned so that the same is squared with the chassis and not with the wheels of the vehicle. The carriages 33 may be moved outwardly so that the arms 40 will be engaged with opposite sides of the vehicle wheels. The laterally projecting fingers 47 will play across the dial 45 so that the pointers 49 on the same will indicate the degree of deviation of the wheel.

With reference to the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that an alinement indicator constructed in accordance with this invention will immediately display to the operator the positions of the wheels with relation to each other and also that the apparatus may be adjusted for use in connection with vehicles of various designs and slzes.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that such minor changes in arrangement and construction of parts may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a frame, carriages mounted upon comprising a frame, carriages mounted upon the frame, indicating means mounted on said carriages, and a pair of members horizontally pivoted to the end portions of said frame and adapted for engagement with the vehicle axle for squaring the frame with the vehicle chassis.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising a T-frame having a central branch and a cross piece, carriages mounted on said cross piece and each havin depend: said slots for securing the carriages to the ing side walls engaging the sides 0 the cross frame, indicating means carried by the end piece, indicating means carried by said carportions of said carriages and arranged beriages, and adjusting devices connected to yond said legs, and means arranged adjacent 5 the adjacent ends of said carriages. the ends of the frame and cooperating with 15 5. A wheel alinement gage comprising a the vehicle axle for squaring the frame with T frame having supporting legs, a pair of the vehicle chassis.

carriages mounted on said frame and having In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

side walls provided with slots, retaining ele- 10 ments extending through said frame and DAVID L. ROWE. [11. 5.] 

